Travel Insurance Explained for Flu & Other Sickness (2024)

Where the flu really comes into play for travelers – and travel insurance –is if they get sick.

Flu season can have serious consequences for a trip. For instance, just before you expect to leave on a vacation, you or someone in your family gets too sick to travel. You could be out of luck if you have non-refundable airline tickets, hotel reservations or other prepaid trip costs and can’t get a refund.

Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to illness?

Travel insurance with Trip Cancellation coverage will cover you if you, a traveling companion or family member come down with an illness before your trip and an in-person visit to a doctor certifies that you’re too sick to travel. You can also be covered if a non-traveling family member is hospitalized due to an illness and you are unable to make the trip.

If you or a family member come down with a severe case of the flu, or if there’s an underlying health condition that can exacerbate or prolong flu symptoms, it’s possible to get sick enough from the flu to have to cancel a trip.

Regardless, if you feel too sick to travel it’s important to have your opinion confirmed and your diagnosis documented by a doctor. Medical documentation will be required if you’re looking to be reimbursed for your non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip.

Also read: What to Know About Pre-ExistingMedicalConditions and Travel Insurance

How else does travel insurance cover sickness?

Generali travel insurancewith Medical coverage can help pay for medical treatment if you get sick with the flu or another illness on your trip. Trip Interruption and Travel Delay coverages, included with all of our plans, can also help out if you get sick on vacation.

Trip Interruption coverage can reimburse you for the prepaid cost of trip arrangements that you miss out on while you’re sick (accommodations, tours, flights event tickets and more).

Travel Delay coverage can provide reimbursem*nt for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as hotel accommodations, meals and transportation if you are unexpectedly delayed during your trip for a specified amount of time.

Also read:Why You Might Need to BuyMedicalCoverage Before You Travel

Travel Insurance Explained for Flu & Other Sickness (2024)

FAQs

How to prove sickness for travel insurance? ›

Filing a Claim for a Covered Illness

Submit all the requested documentation, which may include a Physician Statement Form, statements and records from treating doctors, documentation of refunds received from travel suppliers and more.

Does travel insurance cover the flu? ›

Generali travel insurance with Medical coverage can help pay for medical treatment if you get sick with the flu or another illness on your trip.

What are valid medical reasons for trip cancellation? ›

Cancel For Any Reason. Cancel For Medical Reasons is included in most Trip Cancellation policies, and allows policyholders to cancel their travel plans due to an unforeseen illness, injury, or death of the traveler, a traveling companion, or a non-traveling family member.

What conditions are not covered by travel insurance? ›

Conditions which may not be covered

Conditions like terminal illness, the need for oxygen, pending surgery, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, specific types of cancer, congestive heart failure, and recurring pain are generally excluded from coverage.

How do you prove you are sick? ›

Get a sick note directly, if you are under medical care.

Submit this to your workplace as proof. You may be treated by a professional who is not a medical doctor but a nurse, physiotherapist, or a mental health therapist. You might be able to ask them for a letter or a copy of your hospital discharge summary as proof.

Why travel insurance claims are denied? ›

The most common reasons for a denied claim include: There's insufficient documentation or evidence to support a claim. These include a lack of receipts, proof of payments or proof of the incident that you're making the claim for, such as a cancellation, necessary medical care or anything else that cost you money.

What to do if you get the flu while traveling? ›

When the Flu Strikes While on Business Travel Abroad
  1. Before you go. Travelers should get a flu vaccine to protect themselves before traveling. ...
  2. Stay in your room. ...
  3. Hydrate. ...
  4. Manage the symptoms. ...
  5. Sleep. ...
  6. Practice good hygiene. ...
  7. Visit the doctor. ...
  8. Bring the doctor to you.
Dec 11, 2019

Does travel insurance cover cancellation for sickness? ›

Travel insurance usually includes holiday cancellation cover in case your trip is cancelled for reasons beyond your control – illness or the death of a close family member, for example.

What to do if you get the flu on vacation? ›

Drink plenty of fluids like water, coconut water, fresh squeezed orange juice or Pedialyte,” says Dr. Struble. If you're craving something warm, chicken noodle soup, or bone or vegetable broth are also good options, and chamomile tea with honey and lemon can help soothe a sore throat.

What is a covered illness? ›

Covered condition is a medical diagnosis or treatment that is eligible for reimbursem*nt by a patient's insurance plan according to their policy terms.

What is the best travel insurance for cancellation? ›

Our analysis found that AIG, Seven Corners and WorldTrips offer the best “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) travel insurance. A travel insurance policy with CFAR partially reimburses your insured trip costs if you cancel for reasons not listed in the policy.

What is the best travel insurance company? ›

Learn more about each of our top travel insurance companies, including the average policy costs our team determined by examining and averaging quotes for four unique trips.
  • Faye. Our Top Pick. ...
  • Travelex. ...
  • Nationwide Travel Insurance. ...
  • Tin Leg. ...
  • Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. ...
  • Seven Corners Travel Insurance. ...
  • AIG Travel Guard.
7 days ago

What counts as pre-existing medical conditions? ›

What are pre-existing medical conditions? A pre-existing medical condition (PEMC) is an illness or injury you had before your policy began or was renewed. Examples of pre-existing medical conditions include, diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol or a long-term back condition.

Does high cholesterol affect travel insurance? ›

Can I get travel insurance with high cholesterol? The short answer is, yes! Although high cholesterol is often seen as a minor condition, it's important to declare it on your travel insurance policy in case of any linked conditions.

What is the best travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions? ›

The best travel insurance for pre-existing conditions is the OneTrip Prime Plan from Allianz Global Assistance, which includes abundant coverage for covered emergency medical expenses overseas (up to $50,000).

Does travel insurance ask for medical records? ›

Their experts will want to weigh up the likelihood that you might make a claim relating to your condition, which they'll have to pay out. And beware, if you don't disclose relevant medical information in your insurance application, your policy could be invalidated in the event of a claim.

Does travel insurance ask for proof? ›

Receipts and itemized bills for all expenses. Documentation of any refunds or expense allowances received from your tour operator, travel agency, common carrier, resort, property management company, or other entity. Copy of resort invoice/vacation rental contract or confirmation.

What documents are needed for travel insurance claim? ›

Gather Documentation

You can consider your booking confirmations, itineraries, and proof of payment for the trip. For medical claims, you'll need medical certificates, bills, and receipts. In case of theft, loss, or accidents, file a police report and obtain a copy.

What documents are needed for a travel insurance claim? ›

Trip Interruption Claims
  • Claim Form.
  • Proof of Loss (Why was the trip interrupted?)
  • Proof of Payment (How did you pay for the trip and the travel protection?)
  • Airline Tickets.
  • Other Itemized Invoices, Receipts, Tour Flyers and Brochures.

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